weapon was hidden in patient's belongings

A patient that was brought by ambulance to Viera Hospital Saturday and admitted to the ICU suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound with a weapon that was hidden in the patient’s belongings.

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – A patient that was brought by ambulance to Viera Hospital Saturday and admitted to the ICU suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound with a weapon that was hidden in the patient’s belongings.

“On Saturday, March 11, a patient was brought by ambulance to Viera Hospital and admitted to the ICU, bypassing our security screening processes,” said Matthew Gerrell, Health First Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

“Early this morning, (Sunday) March 12, the patient suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound with a weapon that was hidden in the patient’s belongings. No associates, patients or visitors were injured or endangered during the incident.

“We are immediately implementing additional security screening procedures for patients who are admitted to our hospitals via ambulance. Our hearts and prayers go out to the patient’s family during this tragic time,” said Gerrell.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

“The female was transported to the hospital by ambulance earlier this morning after suffering a medical emergency,” said Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

“The female was treated in the Emergency Room and then admitted to the hospital. The investigation has revealed that after being moved to ICU with an initial medical diagnosis, the female took her own life by removing a firearm from her personal belongings, firing a single shot. There were no other injuries at the time of the incident.”

The investigation into the death is ongoing and the identity of the victim is being withheld awaiting the notification of next of kin.